The Latest: Appeals court considers Mississippi LGBT law

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Latest on arguments over a Mississippi law dealing with religious objections to same-sex marriage (all times local):

5:30 p.m.

Attorneys for both sides are expressing confidence after a federal appeals court heard arguments about Mississippi law dealing with religious objections to same-sex marriage.

Three judges from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard the case Monday in Lubbock, Texas.

The Mississippi law would let merchants and government employees cite religious beliefs to deny services to same-sex couples.

A federal district judge blocked it before it could take effect in July 2016.

Roberta Kaplan, an attorney for some of the gay and straight plaintiffs who sued the state, says the law unconstitutionally endorses specific religious beliefs.

The state is represented on appeal by Alliance Defending Freedom, an Arizona-based Christian legal group. Attorney Kevin Theriot (TAIR-ee-oh) says the law protects people from government discrimination against their religious beliefs.

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2:44 a.m.

A federal appeals court is hearing arguments about a Mississippi law that would let merchants and government employees cite religious beliefs to deny services to same-sex couples.

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves halted the law before it could take effect last July, ruling it unconstitutionally establishes preferred beliefs and creates unequal treatment for LGBT people.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments Monday about the Mississippi law in Lubbock, Texas.

Republican Gov. Phil Bryant and other supporters say the law protects beliefs that marriage can be between only a man and a woman, and that a person's gender is determined at birth and cannot be changed.

Gay and straight plaintiffs who sued the state say the law gives "special protections to one side" in a religious debate.